An inquest has concluded that the San Francisco drag performer Heklina died of acute mixed drug toxicity, more than three years after she was found dead in a Soho flat.
Stefan “Heklina” Grygelko, 55, was found dead in a flat in Soho Square on 3 April 2023 by her friend and collaborator Peaches Christ. The pair were in London to perform their drag parody Mommie Queerest at the Soho Theatre.
At a hearing in London on 15 September 2026, the inquest concluded that she died from acute mixed drug toxicity. Cocaine, MDMA, methamphetamine, GHB and ketamine were found in her system, and the substances were determined to have been consumed voluntarily over a period of around 48 hours.
The Metropolitan Police said it had found no evidence to suggest third-party involvement or that the death was suspicious. The finding closes the criminal investigation.
The case drew significant attention after CCTV footage emerged showing three men leaving the flat in the early hours of 3 April 2023. The footage was not released publicly until January 2025, almost two years after her death. The men have not been publicly identified and no charges have been brought.
Heklina’s friends and supporters had repeatedly criticised the pace of the investigation. In 2025, more than 100 people took part in a protest outside New Scotland Yard demanding answers, and Peaches Christ told the BBC she had been “completely ignored” by police when she asked about the case. The Met has apologised to Heklina’s next of kin and said a full review of the investigation is under way to establish any missed opportunities.
Reporting based on: Scene Magazine: “Met confirms drag star Heklina’s cause of death”, People, and Gay Express NZ, 16–18 September 2026, citing the Metropolitan Police’s findings at the inquest.
